jan 1, 1808 - Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves

Description:

This act made it a federal law that slaves could no longer be imported from Africa or other foreign nations. However, it still allowed states and white people to keep their existing African-American slaves for labor. Although it did not completely end slavery, it marked the first step into what would be an extremely important debate about abolition in the next century, which would define American society and change it forever.

Added to timeline:

Date: